NH Dems turn tables on 2 GOP US House members

Wednesday

Nov 7, 2012 at 3:15 AM

LYNNE TUOHY,Associated Press

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — Democrats Carol Shea-Porter and Ann McLane Kuster were elected to Congress on Tuesday, turning the tables on the same Republicans who defeated them two years ago and earning spots in what will be New Hampshire's first all-female delegation in Washington.

In defeating incumbent Rep. Frank Guinta, Shea-Porter reclaimed the 1st District seat she had held for two terms before being ousted by Guinta two years ago. Kuster defeated Rep. Charlie Bass, who previously held the 2nd District seat for six terms, was defeated in 2006 and made a comeback in 2010.

Both races had been viewed as among the most competitive in the nation, and advertising money from outside interest groups poured into the state.

In both races, the Democrats portrayed themselves as champions of the middle class battling tea party extremists. Sticking largely to their party playbooks, they highlighted their opponents' support for the austere budget plan crafted by Rep. Paul Ryan and accused Republicans of wanting to end Medicare guarantees.

Guinta and Bass, meanwhile, cast their opponents as big-government, tax-loving liberals. They tried to link the Democrats to President Barack Obama's administration, which they blamed for persistently high unemployment and an attitude that government, not the private sector, fuels job growth.

Guinta, 42, a former mayor of Manchester, emphasized his focus on job creation, frequently pointing to the nearly 30 job-related bills he backed and the half-dozen job fairs he held in New Hampshire in the past two years.

Bass, 60, of Peterborough, emphasized his independence and willingness to reach across the aisle. He said he was proud to be one of eight lawmakers — four from each party — who proposed a budget built around recommendations of the president's deficit reduction commission even though it got just 37 votes.

But it was his vote for the Ryan budget that Kuster, 56, of Hopkinton, frequently highlighted, arguing the plan would harm children, college students and seniors who rely on Medicare.

Bass insisted he supports preserving Medicare, but he said changes must be made to prevent it from going bankrupt in 10 years.

Shea-Porter, 59, who also hit Guinta on Medicare, argued that eliminating waste and fraud would help the program remain solvent, as would the Affordable Care Act's focus on preventative care because seniors coming onto Medicare will be healthier.

Both Republicans opposed the health overhaul law, saying it has created too much uncertainty for businesses hesitant to hire new workers while the details are implemented. Guinta also blamed Senate Democrats for thwarting House bills related to job creation and the budget, creating more uncertainty for businesses.

As he did in 2010, Guinta highlighted Shea-Porter's vote for the federal stimulus program, which he called a failure that hasn't helped with unemployment. Shea-Porter argued that the unemployment rate would have been even higher without the stimulus program, and pointed out that Guinta was happy enough to accept stimulus money for the Manchester airport when he served as mayor there.

In addition to serving two terms as Manchester mayor, Guinta, a former insurance consultant, also served on the Manchester board of alderman and in the New Hampshire House.

Shea-Porter, who became New Hampshire's first female member of Congress when she upset Republican Rep. Jeb Bradley in 2006, is a former social worker from Rochester. She had never sought elective office before that race and relied on a network of volunteers and strong anti-war sentiment to unseat Bradley, whom she again defeated in 2008.

Kuster, a lawyer, lobbyist and consultant, also was new to politics when she ran in 2010. In addition to his time in Congress, Bass also served five terms in the state House and Senate.

Though their families are old friends, things weren't always friendly this time around between Bass and Kuster. Kuster at one point grabbed a video camera away from a Bass staffer; Bass ran an ad mocking her as a liberal tax supporter dancing across the screen from tax to tax.

Shea-Porter and Kuster will join New Hampshire's two female senators in the Capitol: Republican Kelly Ayotte and Democrat Jeanne Shaheen.